Minor NPA rebel surrenders in Davao Oriental

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 28): Minor NPA rebel surrenders in Davao Oriental

A minor who served as a regular combatant of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) operating in the province of Davao Oriental has surrendered to the Army under the 10th Infantry (Agila) Division.

Captain Rhyan Batchar, 10th ID chief information officer, told reporters on Tuesday that the minor, identified only as alias Dongkoy, 17 years of age, yielded to the elements of 67th Infantry Battalion in Davao Oriental last February 17.

He was a member of guerrilla front 25 of the NPA operating in the boundary areas of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley provinces.

"Dongkoy" is now being processed for turnover to proper authorities particularly the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Batchar added.

He said under the law, minors like "Dongkoy" who had undergone traumatic experiences while with the lawless group must be handled by capable persons in the DSWD.

Investigations are also being conducted to trace back alias Dongkoy’s roots – his family members and place of origin, Batchar added.

In a separate statement issued to the media on Tuesday, 10th ID commander Major General Rafael Valencia said the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the NPA, recruit minors for their armed struggle.

"The communists must spare the children from directly participating in the armed conflict,“ Valencia pointed out.

He added that such irresponsible act of the CPP-NPA should be strongly condemned by the Filipino people.

Batchar also told reporters of the surrender on Monday afternoon of three regular combatants guerrilla front 71 of the NPA in Davao Occidental and nine members of the NPA Milisyang Bayan (MB) to the elements of 73rd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Datal Anggas, Alabel town in Sarangani Sarangani province.

He refused to reveal the true identities of the regular NPA rebels and militias for security considerations and pending investigations and processes.

“The three NPA regulars and nine militias voluntarily surrendered to 73rd IB troopers. Among the reasons of their surrender were hardships, fear and disillusionment to their leaders and the communist movement,” he emphasized.

Since February 1 this year, a total of 39 NPA regulars have already returned to the fold of the law while 19 high powered firearms were recovered from the NPAs, Batchar said.

Five of the recovered firearms were brought along by NPA regulars who voluntarily surrendered to the Army, he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=967877